Sound recording and reproducing machine



P 1951 J. M.. KUHLIK 2,568,681

SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING MACHINE Filed Dec. 8, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig.1.

p 18, 1951 J. M. KUHLIK 2,568,681

SOUND, RECORDING AND REPRODUCING MACHINE Filed Dec. 8, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 P 18, 1951 J. M. KUHLlK SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 8, 1945 Sept. 18, 1951 J. M. KUHLIK 2,568,681.

SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING, MACHINE Filed Dec. 8, 1943 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Sept. 18, 1951 2,568,&81

SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING MACHINE Jacob M. lfiuhlik, Brooklyn, Y., assignor to Hattie B. Kuhlik, Sea Gate, N. Y.

Application December 8, 1943, Serial No. 513,401

3 a ms This invention relates to a machine for recording sound vibrations upon a strip of film in the form f an endless band for reproduction pur-. pose and also for reproducing sound from said film.

object of my invention is to provide a ma= chine of this type with means for supporting an endless film band of considerable length or a band f short length as desired.

A further object is to provide means for tensigning such bands for recording thereon.

Another object is to providemeans for automatically moving the seund unit or head from one track to another transversely of the film band. 7

Anotherob ect is to provide means for ad-. justing the tension of the sound head stylus upon the film band when recording and reproducing.

Another object is to provide a machine of this type with two spaced. sound units or heads with means for selectively moving either one of said heads into operative position over the film band.

Another object is to provide improved means for driving the film band in recording and rewinding directions.

Another object is to provide means for indicating the position of the stylus longitudinally o the fi a d Another object is to provide means for indicating the position of the stylus transversely of the film band.

Another object is to provide means for controlling the speed of the drive for the film band.

Another object i to provide means for identifying or selecting particular tracks upon the film,

Another opject is to provide means for identifying or selecting particular zones or sections along the film band Another object is to provide means for removing the stylu off of the film for rewinding said film.

Another object is to provide a machine of this type that is simple and compact in construction and noiseless and positive in action.

Other objects and advantages oi m invention will e a pa en ir n; the d s on the o t fo o t ken n co nection with. h a co Den ing d a i gs n i h F .l is a r e evat o of a mach ne embodyin she orm o my invent n- Flg. 2 is a, top. plan view thereof.

Fig 3 is a rear view of the top portion of the machine of Fig. 1 with the sound head units and th ir mount ng remo ed- F g 4 is an end v w t ereo l ok r m t left of Fi ,1. with parts being broken away and parts being shown section for the sake of lea n ss.

F 5 s a de ai view f the clut mecha sm.-

iFig. 6 taken on the plan of the line r ugh 2 the spring arm is a sectional view of the clutch me hani m of F Fi 7 is a detail view off a film feeding wheel.

and associated parts for feeding non-perforated film used with my machine, parts being shown n sec on.

Fig. 8 is a detail View of another form of film e in whe l or eed g rf t fi s e w th y mac in Fig. 9 is a perspective View of an endless film band used with my machine.

Fig 10 is a fragmentar detail view on an enlarged scale showin the mechanism for tripping the clut h. mech ni m. part bein s o n settion.

Fig. ll is a View similar to Fig. l but on a re-. duced scale with the sound units and associated ar s removed and howin me or'm ns the fi summi and hqldi s ame i ad us p s tion.

12 is a r nt vie o t pe p rt of t im ro ed achin t he sou units and as ociated parts removed showing a modified manner of supporting a film band of comparatively small en th- F e- .3 i a f a mentar d a l ie h in means for directing the film band along ofiset paths r ng i tra F 15 a fr nt e of e sound h un and hei u por i ce.-

Fi .5 is a t p p a iew h eo Eis- 6 i a teen i w of a o n a q unit position on a film band.

Fig, 17 is a top plan detail view of the mechanisrn for moving the stylus transversely of the film.

Fig. 18 is a sectional view taken on the plane of the line l8|8 of Fig. 1'7 with parts removed.

Fig. l9 is a part elevational and part sectional ew i he mechanism Of 7 t ke o tit. plane of the line l9-l9 of Fig. 1'7.

Fi 2G i a e m r to F s- 7 ith sam o the a ts em ed F 1 is a p spe tive d tail view of th a n. lid n car a wi h parts being b ok awa is- :22 s a fragmentary d tail vi w of a strip of film showing the grooves thereon.

Fig. 2:3 is a fragmentary detail view on anenlarged scale showing the base over which the film moves wh n e g y the stylus.

My improved machine may be of the stationary or portalole type but is illustrated in Fig. 1 as of the former type. It is preferably mounted on a standard .or support I. The various units of the machine are supported by a base mem: her 3 mounted on the standard and by a front pan l or W ll Z fixed to th base.

- A motor M i se ed o h base and is cone d t a u e o ele r t powe (not hown fo dri i g the m hi e art ,A WQKm 4 on the motor shaft drives a worm wheel 5 fixed on a shaft 6 at a reduced speed. Shaft is disposed transversely of said motor shaft to position the wheel. 5 in engagement with the Worm and is journalled in a bearing member 1 on the front panel 2 and in a bearing portion of a bracket 8 on the base, at its rear. are a plurality of spaced grooved pulleys 6.

A shaft 9 is journalled in a bearing sleeve H! on the front panel 2 and in a bracket fixed on the base at its rear. The shaft 9' is spaced away from shaft 6 and slightly above the same as seen in Fig. 3. Shaft 9 is formed with an axial bore or opening to receive a sliding shaft |3. A short key member I4 is carried by shaft l3 and extends through and slightly above elongated slot I4 in shaft 9. A number of spaced grooved pulleys of varying diameters are loosely mounted on shaft 9. These pulleys are aligned with the pulleys on shaft 6 and are of varying diameters to provide different speeds for the shaft 9. Four sets of pulleys are shown but any desired number may be used depending upon the speed desired. The pulley with the smallest diameter on shaft 9 is indicated at l6, and the next larger pulleys are indicated at It, Mia and I617, respectively. The driv is brought from the pulleys on shaft 6 to the pulleys on shaft 9 by belts H but if desired sprocket wheels and chains may be used.

The means for coupling the desired set of pulleys comprises a shaft I9 slidably supported by a bearing sleeve on the front panel and by a bracket I. A forked lever [B is fixed to the rear end of the shaft l9 and has its forked end in engagement with a grooved collar l5 on shaft I3. A handle 2| in the front end of the shaft IS in front of the panel is adapted to slide said shaft inwardly and outwardly and through the lever bring said movement to shaft |3 to carry the key l4 thereon to the keyway of the desired pulley onshaft 9 for driving said shaft at the desired speed.

To permit the pulleys on shaft 9 to run idly, the key M may be moved into one of a number of annular grooves l4" formed in the hub portions of adjacent pulleys on said shaft. This also permits the key to be shifted from one keyway to the next without looking. When the pulley with the smallest diameter on shaft 9 is keyed to shaft It as shown in Fig. 4, the shaft 9 is connected for reverse movement of the film.

When the shaft I3 is shifted outwardly of the position of Fig. 4, it brings the key M into the keyway of the next larger 5' when the parts are in position to drive the shaft for forward movement of the film at a speed generally used for standard sound recording, for instance, at a rate of thirty feet per minute. The next larger pulley |6a is adapted to drive the shaft for forward movement at a slower speed, and the largest pulley |6b at a, still slower speed as will be understood.

One form of my invention is embodied in a machine adapted to make a continuous run for a considerable length of time, for instance, twenty-four hours, and using an endless film band of considerable length, for instance, one thousand feet. The machine of Fig. 1 is adapted to use the long film band, such as the film indi-.

cated at F. In this machine, the film band is directly supported by spaced reels or drums 26 and 3| adjacent the ends of the panel and in the same vertical plane. Reel 26 is mounted in front of the panel 2 on the outer end of a shaft 28 rotatably supported by a bearing sleeve 29 on the Fixed on the shaft panel. Fixed on the inner protruding end of shaft 28 is a sprocket wheel 30. A sprocket wheel 25 fixed on shaft 9 and a chain 21 bring the drive from said shaft to sprocket wheel 30 and shaft 28. Reel or drum 3| is rotatably supported on a stub shaft 28' mounted in a bearing 29 on the front of panel 2. Thumb nuts 54 hold the drums or reels 26 and 3| removably on their respective shafts.

The film band hangs suspended from said drums 26 and 3| below the base plate 3 in looped formation and is held in such looped formation and guided in its movement by a substantially cross-shaped frame S detachably and adjust-ably mounted on the panel 2.

Mounted on a stub shaft in the panel 2 at one side of its center and between the reels or drums 26 and 3| is an idler roller 32 and mounted on a stub shaft centrally of the panel and above roller 32 is another roller 33. Another roller 34 is mounted adjacent the top of the panel and to one side of the center thereof. A substantially circular anvil or base 35 is mounted to one side of the center and adjacent the top edge of the panel so that the circular top edge or periphery thereof protrudes above the edge of the panel and above the roller 34. An idler roller 36 is mounted on the panel to the side of the anvil opposite the roller 34. Rollers 32, 33, 34, anvil 35 and roller 36 are so positioned that their peripheries are on the same vertical plane, which plane is disposed rearwardly of the vertical plane of the reels 26 and 3 A roller 31 is mounted on a bracket on the panel on the side of the anvil 35 opposite to the roller 36, and this roller is disposed with its axis transversely disposed relative to the axis of roller 36. I On the panel at the side of the anvil 35 opposite to that of roller 31 is a roller 38, the periphery of which latter roller is positioned in the same vertical plane as the planeof the reels or drums 26and 3 Frame S supports a number of spaced idler rollers 40 in an arcuate path in the same Vertical plane as the reels 26 and 3|. Spaced curved plates 4| supported between the cross arms and the lower vertical arm of the frame and on both sides of the side rollers 40 serve to guide the film band in its movement andalso to keep th convolution in an orderly fashion.

A roller 42 is rotatably mounted on a stub shaft 42' adjacent the lower end of the lower vertical arm of the frame and centrally thereof. On one side of said roller 42 and slightly above the same is an idler roller 43 and on the opposite side of said roller 42 and slightly above the same is another roller 45.

All of the rollers supported by the frame S are disposed in the same vertical plane as the plane of the reels or drums 26 and 3|.

The path of movement of the coil or film band F, which is positioned around the reels 2B and 3| between circular flange plates on said reels and around the rollers 40 between the plates 4|, is as follows: the inner convolution or layer of this band leaves the band or coil after it passes the roller 40, adjacent the lowermost roller, and to the right thereof as seen in Fig. l, and then is directed upwardly over the idler roller 43 from whichit passes along the lower periphery of drive roller 42 and then upwardly around roller 45. From roller 45 it moves directly vertically upwardly to andover roller 32 and then laterally around roller 33 and then laterally and upwardly around and over roller 34 from which it passes laterally and upwardly over the upper peripheral surface of supporting anvil or base 35 and then downwardly and around roller 36. From roller 36 it passes horizontally and laterally to roller 31 during which passage it is given a one-quarter turn or twist as indicated at 36. After leaving roller 3'! it is given another onequarter turn as indicated at 31'. After the convolution or layer leaves roller 38 it is directed downwardly between the plates 4| to the outer periphery of the band where it becomes the outer convolution or layer thereof.

The means for driving or feeding the film is as follows: the film is supported on the reels or drums 26 and 3|, each of which drums has a rubber-faced peripheral surface as indicated at 3| for frictionally advancing the film band on its inner layer or convolution. Reel or drum 26 is positively driven by driven shaft 9 by means of the shaft 28 mounting said reel, and loosely advances the film band with its plurality of layers around the spaced rollers 46 and around the idler reel or drum 3| whose rubber-faced periphery serves to advance the film band. The film band or coil is guided in its movement by the flange plates 46 on the reels 26 and 3f and by the curved plates 4| carried by the frame S.

The inner layer of the film band after it leaves the rollers 46 is positively driven by the roller 42. The drive is brought from shaft 28 to said roller 42 by a belt 12 coupling a grooved pulley 13 on shaft 28 with a grooved pulley 14 on the inner end of shaft 42. Spring pressed rollers 44 are positioned to press the film layer against roller 42 as it passes. The layer is also advanced along its path of travel by the roller 38 which is operatively connected to the shaft 28. This connection comprises a sprocket wheel 41 fixed on shaft 28 adjacent drum 26 at the front of the panel. Movement of this wheel is brought bya chain 48 to another smaller sprocket wheel 49 supported on panel 2. Feed roller 38 is detachably connected to sprocket wheel 49 by means of pins 56 on the hub portion thereof engaging in slots or socket portions 5| in the hub portion of said wheel (see Fig. '7). Sprocket wheel 49 is mounted loosely on a stub shaft 52 in the panel 2 and this wheel and feed roller 38 are held on shaft 52 by means of a set screw passing through a collar 53 on the outer end of shaft 52. A roller 39 presses against the film layer as it passes over the feed roller 33 to aid in frictionally advancing the layer. After leaving the roller 38, the layer will loosely wind itself on the film band and becomes the outer layer thereof.

'The feed rollers 26, 36 and 42 are positively driven and all have a uniform surface speed imparted thereto which may be regulated by the driving mechanism aforesaid. This surface speed is maintained on the inner layer of the coil of film band as the coil is revolving around the rollers 46.

The feed roller 38 may have a plain peripheral surface as shown in Figs. 1 and 7 for frictionally driving a plain or non-perforated film, or it may have sprocket teeth on its peripheral surface adjacent one edge thereof for driving engagement with a perforated film 3811 as shown in Fig. 8.

The inner layer strand of the coil is constantly being withdrawn from the coil and carried over the anvil or base 35 to be acted upon by the sound unit to be later described and is tightly drawn over rollers 36 and 31 by the feed roller 38 from which point the inner layer or strand returns to become the outer layer of the coil. The speed of the inner layer of the coil a it leaves the coil from the inner part thereof and as it returns to the outer part of the coil and. aided by the rubber facings 3| of the reels 26 and 3E a loose condition of the coil takes place, the inner strands of the coil being constantly shifting upon themselves. On account of this arrangement, it is also possible to reverse the drive of the film for a considerable length in order to repeat a portion of the film recorded upon to reproduce or to play-back the same;

For applying and releasing the control pressure upon the feed rollers 38 and 42 any suit able means may be employed. For the roller 38, I have shown in Fig. 1 a bell crank 54 pivoted to a stud 55 fixed on the front of the panel 2 at one side of the roller and having its long arm extending over said roller to the other side thereof where it supports the roller 39 on its free end. This arm and roller are held in pressing engagement with the roller 38 by means of-a spring 56 which has one end fixed to the panel and its other end fixed to the short arm of the bell crank. The pressure may conveniently be released or adjusted for lacing the film between the rollers 38 and 39 by a cam member 51, fixed on one end of a shaft 58 supported in the panel, and which is adapted to be moved in sliding engagement with a pin 59 on arm 54 by a handle 66 on the inner end of shaft 58 for adjusting the tension of the roller 39 on the film. The Working face of the cam is provided with grooves or depressions for receiving the pin and holding the parts in adjusted position.

For applying and releasing the pressure of the rollers 44 upon feed roller 42, I have shownthe rollers 44 supported at the ends of a curved lever 6i and disposed so that they engage the lower periphery of roller 42 on both sides of its center in order to provide greater contacting surface which is necessary for moving the film band in forward and reverse directions. Lever Si is pivotally connected at its center with one end of another curved lever 62, the other end of which latter lever is connected to a rotatable stub shaft 63 in the lower end of frame S at the other end thereof. An arm 64 is connected to the inner end of said stub shaft 63. The means for rocking said shaft 63 with its associated parts comprises a link member 16 which has one end connected to the arm 64 at its center, and has its other end pivotally connected to the inner end' 69 of an actuating handle 61. Handle 61 is pivoted to the frame as indicated at 68. Movement of the handle 61 will, through the aforesaid connections, rock the lever 6| with its rollers 44 to and away from the feed roller 42. A helical spring 65 with one end fixed to the frame as indicated at 66 and its other end fixed to the upper end of arm 64 urges the rollers 44 into con tacting engagement with roller 42. Lifting of. the handle 61 will push the arm 64 to move the rollers away from the feed roller 42 and on moving the handle to an extreme movement the link Ill will, upon passing a dead center point, assume a locked position. Pins H extending from the frame in the path of movement of the handle act as stops to limit such movement.

It will be obvious from the foregoing that the speed of the drive for moving the film forwardly may be controlled or regulated and the drive reversed for moving the film backwardly while the motor is running by merely coupling the desired set of pulleys on the shafts 8 and 9, which may be done by moving the handle 2|. If desired, a switch (not shown) may be mounted at a convenient place on the panel and operatively connected to the motor for starting and stopping the same.

It will be noted, as is well known in the art, that it is very difiicult to reverse the drive of an endless film band as is required in the present type of machine for playback or to repeat a subjectalready recorded. In accordance with my invention, however, a considerable length of such endless band may be so returned. For this purpose, I have shown in Fig. 11, a lever pivotally mounted at one end on a pin 16 fixed on a bracket on the bottom of base 3 adjacent the upper end of the vertical arm of the frame S. Carried by said lever adjacent its outer or handle portion 11 is an upstanding arm 18 having laterally projecting hooks 19. This lever is connected to the frame S by a pin 15 whereby movement of said lever is imparted to the frame for moving the frame up and down. The frame is connected to the panel 2 by means of screws 8| passing through elongated slots 82 formed in the upper end of the vertical arm of the frame whereby the frame may be moved up and down for adjustment. A pin 80 mounted in the base 3 in the path of movement of the arm 18 is adapted to be engaged by one of the hooks 19 to hold the frame S in adjusted position. By reason of this construction, the frame S with its rollers 40 is adapted to be moved upwardly away from the film coil or band, leaving the coil or band to be supported only by the reels or drums 26 and 3| whereby said coil becomes very loose at its lower part thus permitting reverse or backward movement of the film for a considerable length.

The return drive of the film band or coil and other features in connection therewith will be better understood after describing the manner in which the band is divided into zones or sections which are visible to the operator while the band is moving through the machine.

An endless band or coil of film for use with my improved machine is shown in Fig. 9. The coiled portion of the film is shown in broken lines and indicated at C. The inner strand C of the coil is shown as leaving the strand and as being looped and turned back over the coil to become the outer layer or part of the coil, the looped or turnedback portion of the strand being shown in full lines. It will be understood that the ends of the film had previously been connectedtogether to form an endless band.

This endless band or coil is marked at suitable spaced intervals therealong to indicate zones or sections therealong. Any suitable marking may be employed but such zones are preferably indicated by consecutive numbers printed or otherwise shown on the band to indicate each foot of its length. For example, in Fig. 9 I have shown the figure 30, to the right of joint where the band ends are connected, which represents footage and indicates that the band or coil has thirty sections of one foot each and is therefore 30 feet long. The figure 1 appears to the left of the joint and represents the first zone or foot of the band as will be understood. The film with the markings thereon are visible at the top of the supporting anvil 35. This indicating of the zones or sections along the film permits the operator to note the particular zone in which a certain subject is being recorded so that such particular zone can be identified and returned to for whatever purpose desired such as for reproducing or play-back. This return of the particular zone desired to operative working position may be accomplished by simply running the film forward on a line track previously made or by reversing the film drive. If the film used is very long, for instance 1000 feet, it would be quicker to run the film forward to the desired zone rather than reverse the'drive. It may be here noted that the cross belt I! for the reverse drive may be omitted and instead thereof a high speed forward drive may be used to return the film to any particular zone on any line track desired.

The endless bands for use in this type of machine may be wound with different size loops in any suitable manner for instance on a form, preparatory to use on the machine. The preformed endless band may then be mounted around and in position on the reels 26 and 3i, said reels being removable for this purpose, and the reels with the band thereon placed in position on the shafts 28 and 28' with the coils of the band around the necessary rollers and with the loose inner strand extended ready to lace over the rollers.

The sound unit H8 or H8 for cutting grooves on the film band and for reproducing the recorded matter impressed thereupon respectively is adapted to be moved transversely of the film band for recording and reproducing upon a plurality of tracks. Mechanism for automatically shifting said sound unit from one track to another will now-be described.

Referring to Fig. 9, at any suitable point along the film band, such as at a loop end 83 the edges of the band may be notched as indicated at 85 to receive a light metal strip or clip 84, which band is positioned across the under surface of said film band with its ends 8'! turned back over the top surface of the film band for securing the metal strip to the film. The notches prevent the metal strip from extending laterally of the film edges. The edges 8! of the metal strip are only sufiiciently long to secure the strip to the band and leave sufficient area of the top of the film for cutting grooves thereon and do not interfere with the operation of the sound unit. On the under surface of the film band, the metal strip 84 extends or bulges slightly outwardly from said surface.

On a shaft 9!! pivotally supported by panel 2 is an arm member 89 formed with a hooked portion 88 at its outer free end. Arm 89 extends toward and over roller 34 so that its hooked portion 88 is adapted to engage the periphery of said roller and is adapted to engage the lower surface of the film band during its forward travel. Fixed to said shaft 90 is an upstanding arm 9| and pivotally connected to one end of said arm is a link 92, the other end of said link being connected to one arm 93 of a bell crank pivoted on the panel, the other arm 94 of said bell crank forming part of a clutch mechanism herein termed a one-revolution clutch. This clutch imechanism includes a pinion 22 fixed on driven shaft 9, which pinion is in continuous mesh with a gear 23 loosely mounted on a stud 24 on the panel near the shaft 9. Gear 23 carries pins 95 at spaced intervals around one surface thereof, which pins extend into the path of movement of a rotatable spring arm 96. The outer end of arm 96 is adapted to engage the arm 94 of the bell crank during its rotation. The outer free end of arm 94 is formed with a :"cam-shaped portion 91, which portion termingear. The spring arm 95 is secured at one end to a disc 99 as indicated at I90. The center of the spring arm 96 is formed with an opening I9I to provide free movement around the hub of the disc 99, which disc is freely mounted on the hub of the gear 23 (see Fig. 6) and is adapted to be at rest when the spring arm engages the stop 98.

When the film in traveling in a forward direction for recording or reproducing, passes over roller 34 it carries the metal clip 84 around with it and inasmuch as the hook 88 of arm 89 is in the-path of movement of this clip, the clip engages the hook and lifts the arm 89 upwardly thereby rocking the shaft 90 and the arm 9| and lever 92 to trip the bell crank which carries the cam 91.

Upon rocking the bell crank by means of the lever 92, the arm 94 with its cam'9'I is moved away from the spring arm 96 as shown in broken lines in Fig. whereupon the spring arm 94 is sprung toward gear 23 into the path of movement of the pins 95 and is engaged by one of said pins and carried around with the gear. The gear and disc with the spring arm 96 will make one full revolution before the outer free end of arm 96 is again brought into contact with the cam 91 when said arm 96 will be sprung away from the pins 95 to a stationary position.

The arm 89 upon being lifted by the clip on the film moves its hooked portion along an arcuate path such as indicated at 88 in Fig. while the film band moves angularly and upwardly 2.

over the roller 34' whereby the hook 88 is released from the metal clip and the arm 89 returns to normal position restoring the cam 91 to camming position before the clutch makes a complete revolution.

On the hub portion of disc 99 lever I82 is clampingly mounted by a screw I83. A lever member I04 is connectedto this lever I 82 by means of a pin-I85. An elongated lever I04 has one end pivotally connected to said lever I82 by means of a pin I85, and its other end is pivotally connected to a plate member I86 mounted on the end of a feed screw I81 supported in a bearing in a frame I09 fixed on the top of the panel. The frame I89 and supporting anvil are joined together to form a unitary structure, which structure supports the sound units and associated parts for adjusting the position thereofon the film. The sound units are mounted for step by step movement across the film band head II9 carried by an auxiliary carriage HI slidably supported by a main carriage II2 which slides upon the structure I89. The turret is formed with a cylindrical body portion II3 having a central opening II for loosely receiving a shouldered screw H5, the, lower end of which screw is adapted to be threaded into a cylindrical or hub portion II'S of the carriage III. The cylindrical body portion H3 is formed at its top end with. spaced ear portions II'I which are adapted to pivotally and adjustably support sound units I I8 and H8, each of which units may include electromagnetic mechanism for recording matter on the film and for reproducing such recorded matter, or one of said units may be solely for recording and the other for reproducing. I have illustrated the sound unit II8 as a recording unit and the unit H8 as a reproducing unit. a

Onone side of the body portion II3, the right hand side as seen in Fig. 14, a link or plate member I I9 is pivotally connected to each ear portion In by means of a pivot pin I28. The downward swing of said bars II9 are limited by a stop pin IIl mounted on the bottom of one of the ear portions. The outer ends of the links II 9 embrace a U-shaped bar or frame I2I. The overlapping portions of the links H9 and bar I2I are formed with aligned openings to receive a rod I22. This rod passes freely through the aligned bores at one side of the bar I2I and at the other side the aligned bores are reduced in size to receive the reduced portion formed on the end of rod I22, which reduced portion is screw threaded at its outermost end. A thumb .nut I22 screwed on the reduced portion of the rod clamps the bar I2I and links II9 against relative movement. The cross piece of bar I2I is slotted for adjustably supporting the sound unit II8 thereon by means of screws passing through said slots (see Fig. 16)

On the other side of the cylindrical body II3, a pair of spaced link members I23 similar to the links II9 are similarly connected to the ears II! on said side. The links I23 however are connected by an integral bridge or cross piece at their top edges, and are connected to the cars In by screws I24 passing through aligned bores in the links and ears. The outer ends of the links I23 are pivotally connected to the sound unit I I8 by screws I23 having pin points enaging in a transverse opening in the sound unit. Wing nuts on the screws may be used to clamp the links to the unit. The screws permit lateral adjustment of the sound unit.

By reason of this construction, the turret head IIil may be swung around to bring either the sound unit H8 or the unit H8 in operative position over the supporting anvil 35 for acting upon the film, and because of the hinged and flexible connections between the units and the ears, said units may be adjusted to any angular position.

The pressure on the recording unit I I 8 must be regulated so that the unit may be quickly lifted when desired to attach a new stylus needle or for other purposes. I accordingly provide a spring bar I25, one end of which is fastened to the turret head I I8 and its other free end extends laterally between the links I I9 and slightly above the upper edges thereof. A bar I29 is pivotally secured as indicated at I21 to the upper edge of one of the links I I9 and extends across the space between the links and is adapted to be swung under the spring bar I25 to provide the necessary pressure to force the sound unit I It with its stylus downwardly upon the film band for recording. The upper edge of the opposite link H9 is formed with spaced depressions I28 to receive the bar I28 and to provide varying degrees of pressure. Bar I26 may be formed at its outer free end with an upwardly extending finger portion to facilitate movement thereof.

The sound unit H8 is rectangular in cross section and is straddled on the top by a weighted member I29 secured to its sides. A strap I29 encircles the weight and sound unit and has a portion extending under and rearwardly of the unit and adapted to engage the links I23 to stop the downwardly swing of the unit.

When the turret head III] is swung So as to bring the sound unit II8 into operative position over supporting anvil 35 as shown in Fig. l, a pin I38 on said head and. extending from one side thereof rides over a detent spring I3| (see Figs. 2, 17 and 19) and is. adapted to engage a notch in the end of said spring to hold the turret head in adjusted position, with the sound unit H8 in operative position. Rotation of the turret head in one direction is stopped by an upstanding pin I32 on the carriage III. The turret head carries another pin I33 opposite pin I30 for engaging with the detent spring when theturret head is swung to bring the sound unit H9 into operative position over the anvil.

The auxiliary carriage I II is guided for sliding movement on the main carriage I I2 by means of guide plates I 34 secured to the top surface of said main slide. The main carriage H2 moves along a rod I35 mounted transversely of the .frame I09, the rod passing through an opening formed in one side of the carriage, and the carriage is guided in its movement at the opposite side by'the walls of a groove I35 formed in a rail member I36 on the frame I09 (see Figs. 19, and 21). The main carriage is adapted to be moved step by step transversely of the anvil 35 and the means for actuating the carriage includes the feed screw I01 supported in a bearing I31 fixed on the frame I09. A rod I36 is positioned parallel to and adjacent the screw and is formed at one end with a semi-circular portion having screw threads on its lower surface, which semicircular portion is adapted to be swung into and out of engagement with the threads on the screw I01. The other end of the rod I38 is connected to a rock shaft I39 carried by the main carriage, which shaft may be actuated by a handle I42 fixed on its outer end for moving the rod I38 into and out of operative position on the feed screw. A helical spring I40 having one end seated in an opening or socket I4! formed in the floor portion of the main carriage and having its other end impinging against the upper surface of the semi-circular portion of rod I38 presses said portion into engagement with the feed screw. Movement of the main carriage may be regulated by a set screw I43 mounted on the frame I09 in the path of movement of said carriage.

The main and auxiliary carriages are adapted to move in unison but are also adaptedto be separately controlled in their step by step motion across the film. The main carriage is moved by feed screw I01 as described hereinbefore and the mechanism for rotating said screw includes a ratchet wheel I44, herein shown as having five teeth, fixed to the outerend of said feed screw. Plate I06 loosely mounted on said screw adjacent the ratchet wheel carries a pivoted pawl I46 disposed in the path of movement of the teeth of the ratchet wheel so that upon each complete rotation of the crank arm I02, of the clutch mechanism, during which the clutch device is tripped, the plate I05 is rocked to draw the pawl away from contact with one tooth of the ratchet wheel and then moved into contact with the next adjacent tooth to thereby move said ratchet the distance of one tooth and accordingly rotate the feed screw one-fifth of a complete rotation. Rotation of the feed screw moves the main carriage with the auxiliary carriage and sup ported sound units to a new line position transversely of the film. This movement of the main carriage occurs each time the metal clip 84 on the film band trips the arm 89 and associated parts for tripping the one-revolution clutch. A plurality of sound grooves or tracks are thus cut or impressed on the filmas shown in Fig. 22. Referring to Fig. 22, a sound groove or track indicated at a is started at the point indicated at b engage the teeth I48 on the cam wheel I41.

and continues along the length of the film band in a line parallel with the edges of the film band and running in the direction indicated by the arrow until the one-revolution clutch is tripped, whiohis at the point indicated 1), for example. This tripping moves the main and auxiliary carriages with the sound unit which is acting upon the film rather slowly,,since the clutch moves slowly, so that the stylus is moved from the point I) to a new line position on line b. In this manner grooves or tracks are cut in spaced relationship for the full width of the working surface of the film band as shown for each circuit of the band. 1

It will be noted that no matter how long th film band may be, the clip 84 operates the clutch and thereby a continuous track is formed on the band from the starting point, as at a, for example, at one side of the band, thus forming a plurality of tracks the width of the band in one continuous unbroken line along the band to the other side of the band.

As stated above the sliding movement of the auxiliary carriage III may be separately controlled and it is desirable that means be provided for indicating the track line being traversed by the stylus of the recording unit carried by said auxiliary carriage to permit the operator to return to said particular'track after traversing another track or tracks. Such controlling and indicating means will now be described.

The carriage control mechanism includes a grooved cam wheel I41 having a flange at one edge thereof formed with peripheral teeth I48. The wheel is fixed on a shaft I49 supported in a bearing I50 in the center of the supporting anvil 35 over which the film dries. The carriage has a pin I5I depending from its underside and this pin is. engaged by the forked'end of a lever I52 supported at its center as indicated at I52 on a bracket I54 mounted on the anvil. The other end of the lever I52 carries a pin I53 which engages in the groove on the surface of the cam wheel I41. The groove in the cam wheel is proportioned to move and lead the auxiliary carriage in the same ratio as the main carriage is moved. This is accomplihed by a pawl I55 pivotally connected at one end with the rocker plate I06 as indicated at I56, and having its other free end disposed to The rocker plate I06 is rocked by the link I04 on each revolution of the clutch device, and each time this plate is rocked the pawl will move the cam wheel one tooth space. The cam wheel is held in this position by a spring detent I48" fixed on the end of the stud I63. The position of the pivotal connection I56 of the pawl I55 on said plate, close to the center on which it swings, is such that the free end of the pawl I55 will be disengaged from said teeth I48 when the plate is in the idle position. The pawl is held in disengaged and elevated position by a pin I48 on the rocker plate I06.

On the front of the supporting anvil 35 a dial I51 is positioned to coact with a pointer I49 fixed on the outer end of shaft I49 and adapted to move around the figures on said dial (see Fig. l). The figures on the dial represent the number of tracks impressed on the film band from side to side thereof and by reason of the connection between the shaft I49 and the main and auxiliary carriages, the particular track upon which the stylus of the sound unit is operating is indicated by the pointer I49, and this particular track may be noted by the operator in any suitable manner. For example, if the main carriage is on line 25, the auxiliary carriage will also be. on the same line because of the connections. between said main and auxiliary carriages. The number 25 is noted by the operator.

'Should it be desired to stop operating upon track 25. and return to track number 4, for example, to reproduce or play-back some matter on said line, the pointer I49 may be grasped by the finger, an outwardly extending finger piece I58 being provided on the pointer for this purpose,

and the pointer turned back to number 4 on the dial. The auxiliary carriage and associated .parts including the turret head are also moved to track number 4 position on the film. The desired sound unit, on the turret head may be brought into operative position on said track 4 by merely swinging the turret head around to bring the desired sound unit over the anvil 35. The. film band at this time is running forward and assuming the subject matter desired to be reproduced has already run past the sound unit, the sound unit is lifted and the drive reversed to move the film backwardly until the proper position along the film is reached. The drive is; a ain changed to forward and the sound unit positioned on the film for reproducing the desired subject matter. The operator having noted the track upon which operations were interrupted, in this instance, track 25, it is merely necessary to turn the pointer I49 around again to said track when the parts will be in position for further operations thereon. During this adjustment of the parts, the clutch is inoperative, the

pawl I55 having been withdrawn from the gear teeth, the pointer I49 may be rotated to move the auxiliary carriage to any desired track position without interference by the pawl.

For raising the sound units from operative position upon the film to inoperative position thereabove, a lifting device I59 having a vertical portion slidably mounted by a slot and stud connection with the frame I69 and having a horizontal portion movable into a portion of the sound unit mounting may be provided (see Figs. 3 and 18). This lifting unit or device is actuated by an elongated lever member IBO which is pivoted as indicated at I6I to the rear of the anvil 35. One end of this lever is adapted to enter a slot I59 formed in the vertical portion of the lifting device I59, and the other end of the lever is formed with a cam-shaped portion I62. A handle I63 is pivotally mounted on a stub shaft I6 l supported on the anvil 35 adjacent the cam portion of the lever. This handle carries a pin I65 adapted to ride on the surface of said cam portion forcing the lower end of the lever downwardly and the upper end upwardly to lift the lifting device I59 upwardly. The device I66 is held in lifted position by the pin I65 engaging in a recess in the lever at the top of the cam portion. Extending across the lower edges of links I I 9 and extending across the sound unit I I8 under the strap I29 are cross pieces or bars I66. When the turret head H6 is in position on the auxiliary carriage III the cross piece is positioned above and in line with the horizontal portion of the lifting device so that upon lifting of said lifting device the horizontal portion engages said cross piece to lift the sound unit ofi of the film. The ends of the cross pieces are curved to permit them to ride up over the horizontal portion of the lifting device I59 thereby permitting the turret head to swing around.

The upper surface or periphery of the supporting anvil or base 35 over which the film band passes and uponwhich the stylus impinges in cutting and impressing grooves. on the film may be a plain stationary surface for ordinary classes of recording, but I prefer a movable surface. I accordingly provide a roller I61 mounted on a stud I68 adjacent the top of said anvil and p051- tioned so that its upper surface forms a part of the surface of the anvil and is. the part against which the stylus contacts (see Figs. 1 and 23). The upper surface of this roller I61 extends slightly above the curved upper surface of the anvil over which the film band is drawn as shown in Fig. 23. Roller 161' may have a plain surface or may be covered with a resilient face or surface, or may be locked against. rotation'or may be free to rotate with the traveling film band. A resilient surface such as described in my Patent No. 2,105,- 741 may be provided. The roller may be locked by an arm I69 carried by a stub shaft I'IIl on the inside of the anvil or base. Shaft I79 extends exteriorly of the anvil and has a handle I'II fixed on its outer end for moving the arm I69 into and out of looking engagement with the roller. The handle may be held in moved position by engaging a raised portionof the dial or in any other suitable manner.

In Fig-.12, I have shown the manner in which a film hand of comparatively short length is supported and its path of movement. In this form, the lower frame S of Fig. 1 is missing and the film band encircles the reels or drums 26 and 31 and the inner layer of the band after it leaves the reel 26 passes directly to the roller 32 and from this point follows the same path as the inner layer shown in Fig. 1.

My improved machine may also be used to move a strip of film forward and backward from end to end instead of an endless belt. In such a case, the reel or drum 3| would become a supply reel, the film strip being drawn from the top of said reel and pass downwardly under rollers 32 and 33 in the same vertical plane. From roller 33 the strip would pass angularly to and over roller 34 in a. different vertical plane and then travel in the same plane over supporting anvil 35; and rollers 36 and 3.1. Fromroller 31 it would travel angularly to and over roller 38 which is in the same plane as the reels and rollers 32 and 33. After leaving roller 36 it would pass to and be taken up by reel or drum 26, which latter reel would then be held frictionally as by a spring washer impinging against the shouldered shaft 28 to drive the real and slip on the shaft to compensate for the increasing diameter of the film windings. The film could be quickly rewound by .a handle h on the supply reel 3| and the line spacing would require only the shifting of the pointer I 49' for moving the auxiliary carriage III and the turret head to the desired line position as indicated on the dial.

While I have shown a revolving turret head with interchangeable sound units for selectively bringing either of said units to operative position, I may use a. single sound unit or head capable of both recording and reproducing, in which case the turret head would not be required, and the sound unit could be suitably pivoted for swinging movement on a stationary support mounted on the auxiliary carriage.

I may also omit the clip 86 on the endless band and the one-revolution clutch actuated thereby a d manually shift the unit transversely of the film by shifting the pointer I49 to move the auxiliary carriage Ill transversely of the film .f-or impressing single line tracksparall-el with the edges of the band and spaced side by side and thereby make endless tracks for each circuit of the film band. A different subject may then be impressed on each line, such as music, thereby providing a film band adapted for automatic coin-operated mechanism. My improved machine with such a band could be mounted in a cabinet with the pointer I 49 and dial exposed for indicating the line position desired.

The mounting of the recording sound unit H8 and the reproducing unit H8 on the swingable turret head permits either of said units to be readily moved into operative position over the supporting anvil 35. The recording unit H8 is provided with the necessary tensioning means comprising the spring I25 and the pressing arm I26. .The reproducing unit H8 is pivotally mounted on the link member I23 to give said unit the necessary flexibility and to permit it to fall by gravity upon the track and the Weight I29 provides the necessary pressure to enable the stylus to engage the walls of the groove or track. No further adjustment of this unit H8 is necessary,

It will be understood that both sound units I I8.

and H8 might be replaced with two units that .are'gcapable of both recording and reproducing,

thereto, a main carriage slidably mounted onsaid casing, means operatively connected to said drive shaft for sliding said main carriage including a feed screw on the casing operatively connected to the drive shaft and a bar on the main carriage having a screw-threaded semi-circular portion adapted to engage the threads on the feed screw, an auxiliary carriage slidably supported on the main carriage, means for sliding said auxiliary carriage, a turret head rotatably mounted on said auxiliary carriage, a recording sound head pivotally supported on said turret head and having a stylus adapted to be vibrated and pressed into the film band to form a sound groove therein and means for adjust- -ably tensioning the pressure of the stylus upon the film band including a spring plate fixed on said turret head and a pivotal bar mounted on and across the pivotal support of the sound head adapted to be pressed downwardly by said spring plate against said support.

' 2. In a sound recording and reproducing machine, a casing, an anvil fixed on said casing, an

.endless film band adapted to travel over said anvil, a metal clip carried by said endless band,

means for moving said film band including a motor .and drive shaft operatively connected thereto,

a main carriage slidably mounted on said casing, means operatively connected to said drive shaft for sliding said main carriage, an auxiliary carriage slidably supported on the main carriage, automatically actuated means for sliding said auxilary carriage, a cylindrical body mounted on said auxiliary carriage, and a recording sound head pivotally supported on said cylindrical body and having a stylus adapted to be vibrated and pressed into the film band to form a sound groove therein said automatically actuated means including a rockable arm in the path of movement of the clip on said endless band and adaptedto be tripped thereby, a, clutch device operatively connected to saidrockable arm, a cam wheel operatively connected to said clutch device, said wheel being formed with an angularly disposed groove on its periphery, a forked lever pivotally supported on the anvil and having a pin on one end disposed in said groove and its other forked end engaging a fixed portionof said auxiliary carriage whereby movement of the cam wheel is imparted to said auxiliary carriage. Y

3. In a sound recording and reproducing machine, a casing, an anvil fixed on said casing, an endless film band adapted to travel over said anvil, a metal clip carried by said endless band, means for moving said film band including a motor on said casing and a drive shaft operatively connected thereto, a carriage member slidably supported on the casing, a sound head supported on said carriage and having a stylus adapted to be vibrated and pressed into the film band to form a sound groove therein and automatically actuated means for sliding said carriage including 'a cam wheel on the anvil provided with a groove on its periphery, a clutch device operatively connected to said cam wheel including a bell crank having a cam member on one-arm thereof, a rotatable disc carrying a spring finger adapted to be engaged by said cam member for holding said disc against rotation, a lever having one end connected to said disc and its other end operatively connected to .said cam wheel, means for moving said finger out of engagement with said disc including a rockable arm having a hook in the path of movement of said clip on the film band, means of connection between saidrockable arm and said finger including a movable lever having one end operatively connected to the rockable arm and its other end connected to said bell crank.

JACOB M. KUHLIK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

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